Italian Stukas dive-bombers, commonly known as “Picchiatello”, played a significant role in the Mediterranean theatre, notably in attacks on Malta.
Luqa, Hal Far, Ta’Qali- these names have become synonymous with the story of Maltese aviation, indeed with the histories of the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy in the Mediterranean, not least because of their connection with the Second World War. However, it is very rarely realised that the first stretch of land in Malta to serve for the normal landing and take off of aircraft was in fact the Marsa Sports Ground, a relatively large, flat, and grassy land situated at the southwestern end of the Grand Harbour and which everybody referred to as “The Marsa.”
In the summer of 1941, a new silhouette graced the skies over Malta—the Reggiane Re 2000. But its story was destined to be overshadowed by a more formidable successor, the Re 2001.
At 1:00 pm on Friday, February 12, 1915, three seaplanes were hoisted onto the flying deck of the HMS Ark Royal, the first seaplane carrier to visit Malta. Few hours later, one of these seaplanes, a Short Folder Type 135, marked a historic moment in the island’s aviation history.
Adrian Warburton was a British reconnaissance pilot during World War II, whose remarkable military career involved numerous missions and acts of bravery.
Hal Far Airfield, Malta’s first permanent airfield, was vital for British Royal Navy aviation. It evolved from a seaplane base
In the early 1920s and 1930s, Malta served as a crucial stopover for numerous aviation pioneers embarking on daring journeys